how much water to drink?

I've found an easy way to gauge my water intake. I make CERTAIN I drink half of it by noon, and the other half when the kids leave school at around 3:30. That way I'm pretty 'empty' by bedtime! I will admit to being a HUGE fan of Crystal Light ... and have even been known to put Splenda in my water. I know, I know ... it will rot my brain.

Sometimes I drink a couple of glasses of tea at school and then one at home.

It's really not as hard as it sounds ... it's just getting into a comfortable habit.

I love that you're so excited about being healthy, Joules ... it's contagious!

WOW ... you got told off for the meat and steamed veggies? I just got told to DO THAT! LOL. I guess there are a lot of different opinions out there, eh?

You can do the ciggie thing ... you really can. I vote for cold turkey with the water class filled with butts/water. GROSS.

If I'm not mistaken the new take on the 64 oz thing is including your morning coffee, beverages and all water. Hydration is hydration.. The only problem arises when you ONLY drink coffee or soda or drinks containing caffeine. They take fluid from the body as you excrete them so you kind of are running in the red. Coffee and diet soda can actually make you more thirsty because they are diuretics.

I'm all about sugar-free Crystal Light Imitation orange juice, 100% of my vitamin C and a sweet treat when I'm wanting something. Sugar-free Koolaid is also one of my best friends. Anything that isn't just plain water all the time is good for you. Green tea is full of anti-oxidents, regular tea, in moderation, can calm your nerves, coffee can elevate blood sugars if drunk in huge quantities but it also helps start the day. I say whatever gets the liquids into the kidneys is good. (no alcohol, of course!)

Remember that your body needs a river of fluid to operate at its peak. For myself after years of living with kidney stones, I would rather get up in the night and go potty than suffer stones or kidney damage. The secret to getting up at night is to not turn on any lights. Keeping yourself in the dark will actually help you fall right back asleep because it doesn't upset the sleep rhythm of the body.

I have found that using larger drinking glasses for water in the bathroom and at table increase my intake dramatically.

There is a product that comes in packets called True Lemon and True Lime. They are sized like a sugar packet for coffee. I throw one of those in my 24 oz water bottle and drink my water like that- slightly tart and very refreshing.

If I am dying for something sweeter, I put 2 or 3 drops of flavored Stevia liqud (Chocolate Raspberry, Vanilla, Apricot Mango, Mint) in my water. You can also float a teabag (like Celestial Seasonings) in your water bottle and you get a bit of flavor- it doesn't really steep in the cold water fast enough to become tea. I might refill thae bottle 3 or 4 times before I use a new bag.

My doctor told me to drink about 1/2 of my body weight in oz of water each day. That 8-8oz glasses thing is based on a 130 pound woman. But that includes the natural water in fruits, veggies, coffee, teas., broths and other drinks.  I don't usually make that- I am a large woman- but some days I come close.

MY doctor is very much against artificial sweetners.

sandy

Sandy, where do you find that True Lemon and True Lime stuff? Sounds great!